“Lost” Robert Frank Photos Found in NY Times Archive

<p>From the Photo District News website: </p>

<h2>“Lost” Robert Frank Photos Found in NY Times Archive</h2>

 

<p>A series of photographs Robert Frank made in 1958 on commission for <em>The New York Times</em>, which were once thought lost, have been discovered in the <em>Times</em>‘ archive. The photographs are featured <a href="http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/a-lonely-gaze-on-the-times-and-its-city/">today on the <em>Times</em>‘ Lens blog</a>.<br>

A year before he published his groundbreaking book <em>The Americans</em>, Frank was hired to create the photographs by Louis Silverstein, a longtime art director at the <em>Times</em>who headed the promotions department at the time. The images were used for a promotional book distributed to <em>Times</em> advertisers.<br>

The images depict New Yorkers, many of them carrying or reading copies of the<em>Times</em>, going about their business on the streets, in taxis, at the airport, and at notable locations such as Grand Central Station and the Statue of Liberty.<br>

Silverstein’s wife, Helen, recently discovered the prints, some of which were not published at that the time and have not previously been seen, in the <em>Times</em>‘ archive with the help of Jeff Roth, a <em>Times</em> archivist.</p>

Here is the link:

 

<p>http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/a-lonely-gaze-on-the-times-and-its-city/</p>

<p>Thanks, Michael. Quite a find. The article mentions, and the images confirm, that a number of those photos unmistakeably have Franks's "stamp" upon them.</p>

<p>Brings back fond memories of pushed Tri-X...</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>Reminds me that many photo magazine reviewers at the time violently disliked Frank's work.</p>

<p>Of course at the time, there were still some shades of Mortensen's romantic posed portraits.... [retching sounds from behind the keyboard...]</p>

<p>Inspiring work, even in today's context. His intelligent use of secondary as well as main subject elements is fine and worthy viewing for street photographers.</p>